Prince Fielder Rumors: Saturday

We heard on Friday that the Orioles are in fact interested in Prince Fielder, but not at his current asking price. While O's executive vice president Dan Duquette won't say much about the team's pursuit of the slugger, it might be the other D.C. area team that makes an aggressive offer. Here's the latest on Fielder with the latest news up top..

While he cautions to "take it for what it's worth", ESPN.com's Buster Olney writes that there is a broad assumption from a lot of baseball execs that Fielder's most attractive offer will come from the Nationals. It's also important to note that GM Mike Rizzo said on Friday that Adam LaRochewill be the club's first baseman in 2012.

Of course they’re going to say that LaRoche is their 1st baseman for next year, given that it was just last offseason that Rizzo signed him to a multi-year deal last offseason. Even if the Nationals are the favorites to land Fielder, its still not a sure thing that they will in fact sign him, and, with the money still owed to LaRoche for next year, even with a down year he’ll still remain a starter unless someone else is signed. As of today, yes, LaRoche is the starting first baseman for the Nats in 2012. But with free agency, you never know. For example, most thought that Pujols would either stay in St. Louis or sign with Miami. Instead though, at the last minute, the Angels suddenly entered the bidding and eventually won. Point is, even with the Nats interest with Fielder, there is no guarantee that he will sign with them, as anything can go down at the last minute that the public doesn’t know about. Until Fielder signs with Washington (if, that is), then LaRoche is the Nats first baseman for now.

Assuming Darvish signs my guess is the Rangers aren’t planning any more major moves. Besides, they have plenty of first basemen and they don’t need to upgrade their offense. I still wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cubs make a decent offer. Even if they’re planning a complete rebuild Fielder is young and can contribute for several years.

When asked “Is LaRoche your 1B for 2012”?, Rizzo responded “That is correct.” And if you look at the Nats’ depth chart, LaRoche is indeed the first baseman. But as a poster pointed out on a different blog, no one asked Rizzo whether that might change and I’m sure he was happy not to have to address any Fielder questions.

FIELDER WILL NEVER PLAY BALTIMORE, THAT DEAL ISNT EVEN CLOSE OF HAPPENING
phillyFan1 that’s fine by me!!!!!

The question of the day is do the Nationals have the money to pay Fielder?
Yes!
Do the Nationals have an Owner who is willing to spend?
Yes!
Does Rizzo like to take chances?
Yes!
Will the Nationals sign Prince Fielder
Logically….. Yes!

PS Do the Orioles have any of those traits aforementioned?
Logically…. No!

Google “Darvish.” The Rangers have already spent almost $52 million on the guy and they haven’t even signed him yet. He’s going to cost at least another $120 million (6/20) before its all over. They can’t afford another big name.

They spent a considerable amount last offseason and are not considered to have a lot of cash on hand vice the Darvish bid. I wouldn’t say “they have more money than the Angels” when the Angels are valued higher and turn greater profits year-to-year. Even the Mariners have higher overall franchise value and average revenue than the Rangers (not in 2011, but averaged over the last decade).

Sure they can depending on their long term plans. Hamilton is a free agent after 2012 and Michael Young after 2013. If they are not going to resign either then spend big in 2012 knowing that a big chunk of change comes off the books to offset fielders price tag. Not saying it will happen just that they could afford him long term.

I predict fielder to be out of a job until he fires Scott Boras and/or goes down on his asking price/years. He a solid hitter, but definitely not worth as much per season as Pujols. Pujols is a gold glove caliber fielder, Fielder….. Not so much. And fielder isn’t as good of a hitter either. And I can’t stand the fact that a team gave Pujols so many years, but he’ll bring that money back as a DH. Fielder is worth maybe $18 million per season MAX.

Fielder can earn his 25.4M a season, but the teams that would sign him for that are being blocked right now, due to his ten year contract demands. No one is going to give him that salary for those many years. Boras can ask for the moon, but all the big-market teams are out of the running in the winter of 2011.

That narrows the field dramatically for his services. Fielder has to ask himself, do I take the 5 years with perhaps an option for a sixth at the amount he wants per year, or does he hold out that someone will eventually cave into his demands? I can see him sitting at home for a year, because the second option isn’t going to happen. Fielder can take the five years and hit free agency again at 33, hoping he is still productive for another big payday, but that is the unknown factor. He wants ten years guaranteed, becoming the next albatross failure on a team’s books, if he gets injured or his numbers drop substantially, even with a DH status.